Contents

Design

The Saxon was intended to act as a cheap but efficient
"battle-taxi" for units that would have to make long journeys from
the UK to reinforce the BAOR. As a lightly armoured wheeled vehicle
it is much faster - especially on roads - and easier to maintain
than a tracked vehicle. Indeed, it shares many parts with
commercial trucks, reducing the operating cost.

It is armoured against small-arms fire and shell splinters, but
is not intended to stand up to any anti-vehicle weaponry. The
vehicle has a single machine gun for local air defence, and can
carry up to ten men.

A number of Saxon IS, or Saxon Patrol, vehicles were acquired
for service in Northern Ireland, serving both as troop carriers and
used in riots with extendable wings to be used as protective
shields as well as being used as ambulances. These have various
minor modifications compared to the normal version, such as
searchlights and wire cutters, intended for internal security
operations.